Lot 811
Hadrian, A.D. 117-138. Gold Aureus (7.17g). Mint of Rome, AD 119-122. Laureate bust of Hadrian facing r., without drapery. Reverse: PM TR P COS III, Neptune standing l. holding trident in left hand and acrostolium (an ornament on the prow of an ancient galley) in right. Calicò 1314; Cf. S-3409 (dolphin in r. hand). Rare. Well struck with full legends and traces of luster present. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - UP
According to David Sear, the deity on the reverse has traditionally been identified as the Tiber, more recent scholarship has preferred the river Tyne (Tinea) in northern England. This issue was made at the beginning of Hadrian's first great provincial tour, during the course of which he visited the northern frontier region in Britain and began planning the immense military barrier (Hadrian's Wall) which still partially survives in Northumberland and Cumbria. The original eastern terminus of the Wall was on the northern bank of the Tinea at Pons Aelius (now Newcastle-upon-Tyne) named after Hadrian.
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| Realized $5,520 |
